Monessen Christmas tree lighting will be virtual

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

The Monessen Christmas tree lighting set for Saturday will now be a virtual event due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the area.

The City of Monessen and Monessen Community Development Corporation had planned to host a Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. Saturday in front of the Monessen Police Station on Donner Avenue. There would have been treats, an appearance by Santa Claus and carolers in addition to the lighting of the City Clock and Christmas tree.

Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Monessen over the past week, Mayor Matt Shorraw made the decision to switch to an all-virtual event. 

“I realize it is not the same as having an in-person event to welcome in the holidays — especially with how rough this year has been — but we have to take safety into consideration,” Shorraw said. 

The tree lighting will be live-streamed at 6 p.m. on the Mayor Matt Shorraw, Monessen, Facebook page and will be shared on the City of Monessen Facebook page.

It will be a much shorter version of the planned event.

The mayor, Municipal Fire Chief Delmar Hepple and other officials were working on a Christmas parade set for Dec. 5, but those plans have also been scrapped due to the spike in cases.

“We were hoping to bring some much-needed holiday cheer to the city, but we will have to find alternate, safe ways to do that until the cases are brought under control,” Shorraw said.

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